Dance drama tells legend

Press, 11 April 1984, Page 21

Dance drama tells legend

Contemporary dance, organic abstract paintings, modern prose, traditional Irish pipes and a legend older than King Arthur himself seem to have very little in common at first glance. Yet all these elements have been combined to form “Created Woman,” a dance drama production to be staged in Christchurch this week. “Created Woman” represents the culmination of a lifetime’s intensive training and self-discipline for two young New Zealand dancers, Anna Holmes and Bronwyn Judge. The pair were in Christchurch late last year with their performance, “Swivels, Tilts and Turns.” For the past five years, Ms Holmes and Ms Judge have travelled extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States, studying folk dance styles, folklore and contemporary dance technique. The last two years were spent performing, teaching and studying in Wales, and it was here that they developed “Created Woman” with poet Anthony Conran and visual artist Michael Cullimore. “Created Woman” is based on the story of Blodeuwedd (pronounced Blod-ey-with) from the Welsh book of mythology, the Mabinogian. The story has been adapted into a series of 14 poems by Mr Conran, whose dense, rich images, form the basis for the dancers’ choreography. Blodeuwedd is created out of flowers by the sorcerer Gwydion to provide a wife for the prince Lieu, whom he treats as his own son. The poems cover the life of Blodeuwedd as seen

through her own eyes — her marriage to Lieu, her passionate affair with her lover Gronwy, the intricate planning and murder of Lieu by Blodeuwedd and Gronwy, Lieu’s transformation at death into the form of an eagle, the revenge wreaked on Blodeuwedd by the embittered Gwydion and her final banishment from light in the form of an owl. The poetry is read, sung and chanted by the dancers themselves and a Christ-church-based actress, Fran Waters. While this acts as the major accompaniment for the dance, a live musical accompaniment is provided on highland and Irish pipes by Dutch musician Hubert Kwisthout. The set consists of photographic reproductions of the acclaimed British artist, Michael Cullimore. The works represent his interpretation of the story. As well as the performances at the Southern Ballet Theatre, Ms Holmes and Ms Judge will be taking workshops this week-end.